Hi Scott
Let the tenant pay the year in advance, but negotiate with the REA to pay them monthly prorata yourself directly. A year's rent in advance in your offset a/c or LOC would help. The REA management fee, usually around 7.7% , covers many duties the PM hasn't performed yet, so no need for them to be paid totally in advance. It could be especially awkward if for valid reasons, you wanted to change REA.
good luck
cheers
crest133